Solar energy advocates want more money for consumers

Solar energy advocates want lawmakers to increase what consumers are paid for the energy produced through their solar energy systems.

The state's major utilities are required to credit customers, but that credit is capped at 5 percent. The Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote to expand that cap to almost 10 percent. Utility companies are lobbying against it. Solar advocates support it.

"Basically, we're just asking through net metering to have the right to sell our electricity to the grid. And that's what net metering allows us to do," said Danny Kennedy from Sungevity.

"PG&E is a strong supporter of our customers' choice to go solar; 30 percent of the nation's rooftop solar is in PG&E territory," said Lynsey Paul from PG&E.

PG&E and others claim if that cap is raised, residents not using solar will be forced to pay higher monthly rates for their electricity. However, the division of rate payer advocates supports net metering.